Fire-escape



(N'o Model.) 2 Sheet-Sheet 1. W. HBNSEL.

FIRE ESCAPE. No. 600,346.

2 Sheets--Sheet-Z. W. HENSEL. PIRE ESCAPE.

(No Model.)

Patented Mar. 8, 1898.

UN'rrnD STATES `PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM HENSEL, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 600,346, dated March 8, 1898.

Application filed July 29, 1897. Serial No. 646,392. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENsnL, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is an improvement in iireescapes and relates more especially to the class known as drop-ladders, having for its object to provide a fire-escape which will be completely housed within the window-sill of a building and including mechanism by which the ladder is thrown into position by simply drawing upon an operating-rod.

The invention also embodies the peculiar` construction of the ladder by which steps are presented in lieu of the ordinary rungs, said steps being swung against the side pieces when the ladder is folded into the receptacle or housing therefor.

To the above ends the invention consists, primarily, in a case located within a windowsill, a pivoted plate forming the front of the casing, a rod for swinging the plate, and an arm extending rearward from the upper part of the said front plate and bent backwardly at its rear end, together with a ladder consisting of several sections to be folded together and slotted guides connected to one of the outer sections `of the ladder, the said ladder when folded lying between the front plate and depending member of the arm.

The invention further consists in a ladder for fire-escapes comprising sections connected to one another by links and a plate pivoted to the side pieces of the ladder-sections and having end pieces which are turned up to engage the said ladder-sections to position the plates at right angles with the ladder.

In the following specification I have entered into a detail description of the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to numerals thereon,which designate the different parts, and what I consider to be the novel features of construction are more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation illustrating the application of the invention, the ladder being lowered into position for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view with the ladder folded into the housing. Fig. 3 is a similar view with the ladder lowered. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the ladder. Fig.l5 is a sectional view thereof. Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the steps.

In carrying out my invention I provide a casing by the side of the window, open at its ends. At the bottom of this casing or housing, to the side posts thereof, are secured links 2, disposed horizontally and connected to the housing by means of a bar 3.

The ladder consists, practically, of a series of rectangular frames 4, preferably made up of metal bars, the said sections being connected to one another by links or by means of sleeves 5 in order that the said sections may be folded one upon another and placed within the housing. The end bar of the section forming one end of the ladder is passed through the link 2 for connecting the ladder thereto. The links have a sliding movement within the casing in order that the outer ends thereof may project beyond the said casing when the ladder is dropped into position for use.

The housing is closed by a plate 7, which is pivoted at an intermediate point by the pins 8, which extend into the side pieces of said housing, and the upper end of this pivoted plate has attached thereto an operating-rod 9, which extends rearward. Also connected to the upper part of the pivoted plate which forms the front of the housing is an arm or rod 10, projecting rearward and having a depending Inember l1, carrying a cross-bar 12. In folding the ladder the sections thereof are placed between the front plate 7 and the depending member ll of the arm, the sections of the ladder being folded back and forth in order that when projected from the housing they will unfold themselves properly and hang, the links 2 sliding forward to permit the upper section to hang vertically.

The construction and operation of throwing the ladder into use will be readily understood, for a pull upon the operating-rod will swing the lower end of the front plate outward and move the arm 11, so that the crossbar 12 thereof will shove upon the laddersections and push them out of the housing. This arrangement provides for conveniently IOO storing a fire-escape ladder and placing the same in a position for use in case of an emergency. It will also be observed that the ladder is vwell supported at its upper end and will hang vertically against the wall of the building.

My invention anticipates a particular construction by which a better fold is provided for the ladder by practically forming steps or wide treads when the ladder is lowered. To this end plates 14 are connected to the side pieces of the ladder-sections. The slots permit the plates or steps to be folded up against the ladder-sections, in order that the said steps may be held at an angle with the ladder, and when lowered therein forcingstrips 13 are extended rearward and curve up, as shown, bearing against the side pieces. This construction for a fire-escape ladder provides one in which a wide-tread portion is presented and at the same time permits of the ladder-sections being folded close together when stored.`

It will be understood, of course, that the operating-rod which is connected to the inclosing frame of the ladder extends into the building, being of such length that when the ladder is stored the operating end will be close to the wall.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a nre-escape, the combination ofa casing or housing open at its forward end, a pivoted plate forming the front of the housing, a rod extending rearward from the plate and bent to present a member parallel therewith; together with a ladder consisting of sections folded together to lie between the pivoted plate and bent arm, one end of the ladder being secured to a casing, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a fire-escape, the combination of the casing or housing, lin ks slidable therein,a pivoted plate forming the front of the housing, a rod extending rearward from the plate and bent parallel therewith, andan operating-rod connected to the plate; together with a ladder made up of several sections, one of the end sections being in slidable engagement with the links, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a hre-escape, the combination of the housing open at its forward end, links in slidable engagement with the housing, a pivoted plate forming the front of said housing and bent to present a depending member parallel therewith, a cross-bar secured to the end of the depending member, and an operating-rod connected to the upper end of the pivoted plate; togetherwith a ladder made up of several sections connected by links, one end of the ladder being in slidable engagement with the links located within the housing7 substantially as shown and described.

4. In a ladder for nre-escapes, the combination of the ladder-sections pivoted to each other, a plate having slots at its ends by which it is connected to the side pieces of the ladder-section, said plate having curved extensions at its ends, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM I-IENsEL. 

